Where have all the small phone fans gone?

[Brian Stirling]

Troll post aside, you nailed it in your second paragraph.

It doesn't matter if you preferred 3.5" phones or 4" phones. There is now only one "flagship" device with a screen under 4.5". And that's the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact.

At this point, if you want flagship, you're (most likely) buying a large phone.

Edit: To say that, even in the iPhone realm, the 5.5" model is now the flagship with it's better specs and features.

Yeah, I admit this was something of a troll post, but I remember a while back when the first rumors of Apple going big came out there were quite a few that gasped at the prospect. I'd noticed very little comment of late on phone size so I had to wonder what happened to all the small phone fans. It seems that in at least one case they've moved to the iP6+.

The good news for those of us interested in, for example, the Note 4, that Apples entry into this segment has spurred Samsung to provide a $200 credit to pre-order. Thank you Apple!!!


Brian

 

[s44]

The good news for those of us interested in, for example, the Note 4, that Apples entry into this segment has spurred Samsung to provide a $200 credit to pre-order. Thank you Apple!!!

Admit it, you're going to spend that $200 on the VR toy anyway.

 

[gorcorps]

Troll post aside, you nailed it in your second paragraph.

It doesn't matter if you preferred 3.5" phones or 4" phones. There is now only one "flagship" device with a screen under 4.5". And that's the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact.

At this point, if you want flagship, you're (most likely) buying a large phone.

Edit: To say that, even in the iPhone realm, the 5.5" model is now the flagship with it's better specs and features.

The Z3 compact screen is 4.6" per gsm arena, AND it's only a 720p screen

I don't care how good the colors are... 720p in 2014 is NOT a flagship, and it's just one more data point showing why Sony is losing their ass in the phone market AFAIC.

 

[Mopetar]

See, this is where going by screen size alone is misleading.

Last year's G, despite its smaller screen, is actually bigger than last year's X and this year's Galaxy Alpha & Z3 Compact. And in turn, despite its larger screen that G is actually smaller in 2/3 dimensions (not height) than the original EVO 4G and pretty damn close to the Droid X (both 4.3").

We should be applauding the streamlining of bezels and so on, not looking at one number and saying "bigger bigger bigger!"

The bezels only matter so much for the most part. If I'm using an Android or WP phone, I adjust how I hold it in my hand compared to an iPhone/iPod (though I haven't had much experience with the models newer than the 4S and could conceivably have to hold it differently to use one with TouchID) simply because I need to have better accuracy at hitting the buttons where I don't need to be as accurate with the single physical button.

A 4.3" screen is about the limits of what I can comfortable use and be able to reach every part of the screen without adjusting my grip. I suppose with something like a Note I would mostly use it in landscape (much like a tablet) and that would be less of an issue, but I also like smaller phones for better pocketability.

Yeah, I think it will still be interesting to see what happ be next year. The thing is that, right now, even the 5C and 5S are pretty decent pbones. The hardware for the last couple of years has been "good enough" for a couple of years now so it has that going for it.

Will be interesting to see if they do the standard trickle down model or if the try to do something new in the 4" space.

Sure, they're decent, but I'd honestly prefer to have the newest SoC as it does help to future-proof the device in terms updates somewhat. I typically like to be able to buy a device when it's relatively new and try to get at least 3+ years out of it before upgrading again. Apple typically provides service updates for that long, although they can degrade the performance a little bit. With Android that really isn't a problem so long as you don't have a device that's locked down and is somewhat popular.

 

[kaerflog]

I was one of those people.
Now I have settle with the LG G2 being the perfect phone.
Even with all the recent top tier phones, the G2 remain s closest to being a perfect phone.
Large enough screen, minimal bezels, all day long battery. Can't ask for much more.
If I did ask, I would ask for louder speakers and a more premium feel although its already premium to me.

 

[tsupersonic]

I think the Moto X (1st gen.) nailed it in size. I am also ok with HTC One (M7), which the iPhone 6 is really close in dimensions to. I just wish the iPhone 6 had all the features of the 6+ (1080p display, OIS, etc.)

 

[Eug]

I'm annoyed with Apple. I have no problems with large phone options, but they've no longer got a flagship 4.0" phone.

I'll be sticking with my 5s as long as I can.

I had a 4.7" RAZR HD and really disliked the size. Very awkward to use one-handed. I think my sweet spot is probably somewhere around 4.0-4.2ish inches, depending on the bezel size.

I guess the good news for me is that the iPhone 6's specs aren't really much different from the 5s. The CPU is faster but not that much faster (unlike previous generational changes), and both have the same piddly 1 GB RAM. So, I think I'm protected for a while as far as iOS upgrades go.

 

[pm]

For years we've had a group of people here that never missed an opportunity to lambaste the latest Android phones because they were too big. They went positively nuts when the Note came out and ridiculed the idea of holding one up to your ear to make a phones call.

They had Apple of course as holdouts with top spec small phones, but now Apple has abandoned the small phone in favor of large phones and phablets.

So, where are all the small phone types now -- pre-ordering the iPhone6+...


Brian

Well, as I said in the Apple thread, I remain a small phone fan and I have no idea what I'm going to do but I'm not at all excited about the iPhone 6 and there's no way that I'd ever even consider an iPhone 6+. As Eug said, I think I'll keep my current phone for as long as I can while I wait to see what's going to happen in the next generation of phones.

It's a tough place to be because I remain very enthusiastic about cell phones but clearly the market is moving away from my preferences and I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do about it.

I agree with tsupersonic's comment that the original Moto X nailed the size and ergonomic aspects. It's bigger than an iPhone 5/5S but it doesn't feel huge. But there's nothing out there that makes me want to upgrade at this point.

For what it's worth, my wife likes really small smartphones - she has a Nokia 620 (
115.4 mm (4.54 in) H; 61.1 mm (2.41 in) W; 11.0 mm (0.43 in) D ), and I don't think they make them any smaller than what she has. But she'll be happy with her 620 for a year or two more I think. It's me that likes to upgrade all the time.

 

[Roland00Address]

It would be cool if someoned made a flip high end android phone with flagship specs via using oled and a yoga laptop type hinge. Key word being no seem and thus something like oled or such You could do a battery in the top and bottom and software wise you could do a weird case of split screen.

Quick someone make concept art.

The Z3 compact screen is 4.6" per gsm arena, AND it's only a 720p screen

I don't care how good the colors are... 720p in 2014 is NOT a flagship, and it's just one more data point showing why Sony is losing their ass in the phone market AFAIC.

720p 4.6" is not flagship yet 4.7" 750p is now flagship? Does the extra tenth of an inch and 30 vertical pixels make that much of a difference, or is it 30 pixels times apple's reality distortion field.

 

[chin311]

I'm glad someone else thought of the "privacy" issue other than me lol I am always around customers / people and can pretty easily hide what I'm texting or reading. Even the Galaxy S3 and etc are too large IMO.

My wife bought a 4S even when the 5 was just released because she didn't want the "big" screen lol she will keep it until she can't use it. I have a 5S and like Eug probably gonna stick with it til next year or longer depending what happens with iPhones. Hopefully they'll keep a 4" inch model around, but also hope it doesn't get some hand-me-down specs from past models or they make it some "budget" iPhone.

 

[maxi007]

i miss my sony Ericson W301 , its sound quality was awesome.

 

[blairharrington]

1080P on a 4.7" screen is completely unnecessary.

Nothing beats the ergonomics of my 1st gen Moto X. I find it noticeably easier to use with one hand than the Nexus 5, and that phone isn't even that much bigger. I'll be demoing the iPhone 6 today but my gut says it won't be as nice to use with one hand.

Apple is kinda covered for 2 years with the 5S in their lineup. But I really think there is still a fairly big market for a 4" iPhone. Imagine the 6/6 Plus in a 4" variety. That would be a killer phone IMO. Best case scenario the 2016 iPhone lineup features great specs in 4", 4.7" and 5.5" form factors.

Hopefully Apple (and other OEM's) will eventually readdress the smaller phone market without giving them only mediocre specs. One of the worst things about 2014 was seeing all these flagships (M8, S5, Moto X) get bigger and heavier and blah.

 

[Oyeve]

It's not cool, until Apple says it is cool.

Very sad but true unfortunately.

 

[Rdmkr]

As technology develops more and more, miniaturizating becomes more and more a realistic option. I think we're going to see a shrinking down of phones again within the next decade because it will be one of the few real engineering feats left with real benefits, after squeezing together pixels, pushing framerates beyond 60fps and speeding up processes to where data speeds are the bottleneck start to have terminally diminishing returns.

 

[s44]

As technology develops more and more, miniaturizating becomes more and more a realistic option. I think we're going to see a shrinking down of phones again within the next decade

Only if it's by folding them or finding a better interface than the screen. Screen sizes have come with shrinking everything else, because people want larger and clearer displays while the rest of the stuff can be miniaturized. That basic demand won't change on its own.

 

[Harry_Wild]

I think if you guys wait enough over time; smartphones will be come commodity items and since most are made in China; the Chinese smartphone manufacturers will be coming to the U.S. after they get done with the Far East and EU.

They have hundreds of different sizes and looks. Apple may go back in size to like a 4.5" maybe for the developing countries but I don't see it having high end specs for a 4" model unless it like a limited edition version; which will sell at double the price of the 5S now! But then; the trend can turn back again towards smaller smartphone too! So I think either way you can get what you want in time! I don't see how you can call the iPhone 6 which is 4.7" that much bigger then the 4" 5S. I think you just need to spend time with it - more then 30 minutes but a week or two! You know; I may just hold out for the supercharge model - 6S - sapphire glass, 2GB, A8X, 401ppi, better camera and color filled in of the antenna borders. LOL! I may not buy anything this year!

 

[mrochester]

Although I was as guilty as anyone else in terms of ripping the piss out of Android fans due to their comically huge phones, I've just picked up an iPhone 6 and realised that the thing I've always disliked about huge Android phones was that they were Android phones. If they'd run iOS, chances are I would have loved them. I've always admired Samsung's hardware, for instance, it's just their OS and software that I can't stand. Huge Windows Phones I've never really had a problem with, probably because I like Windows Phone.

 

[purbeast0]

after having the ip6+ for a day, i'm already considering getting rid of it to get the normal 6. everything about it so far just feels too big. still going to give it like a week or two though to see if i get used to it. but if i feel this way in 2 weeks i'm gonna downgrade.

 

[paperwastage]

Although I was as guilty as anyone else in terms of ripping the piss out of Android fans due to their comically huge phones, I've just picked up an iPhone 6 and realised that the thing I've always disliked about huge Android phones was that they were Android phones. If they'd run iOS, chances are I would have loved them. I've always admired Samsung's hardware, for instance, it's just their OS and software that I can't stand. Huge Windows Phones I've never really had a problem with, probably because I like Windows Phone.

problem of "choice"

Android: too much choice - manufacturer can change home screen layout, user can do anything they want...

Typical user doesn't want choice (too confusing to research and test out all the apps/configuration), they just want something that "works" - Apple chooses everything for them (most good, some bad, oh well), and they are happy. I want choice, able to customize anything I want, and hence I need to stay with Android

 

[mrochester]

problem of "choice"

Android: too much choice - manufacturer can change home screen layout, user can do anything they want...

Typical user doesn't want choice (too confusing to research and test out all the apps/configuration), they just want something that "works" - Apple chooses everything for them (most good, some bad, oh well), and they are happy. I want choice, able to customize anything I want, and hence I need to stay with Android

Too much choice also tends to lead to being dissatisifed with the choice you end up making.

 

[corkyg]

In the near future, we will be able to make phone calls from iPads. 🙂

 

[Zaap]

Too much choice also tends to lead to being dissatisifed with the choice you end up making.

What are "...things people tell themselves to feel better about the walled garden?" for $1,000 Alex.

 

[shortylickens]

My next phone will be the Z3 Compact.

 

[RaulF]

Like it has been posting nice try with your post.

But the funny thing is, apple still makes a 4" phone. Nothing is stoping them from keeping the screen size and upgrading around it for next year, and i have a feeling they will. Because there's a big crow that actually wants a small compact phone wether you like to admit it or not.

http://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/

 

[Accord99]

What are "...things people tell themselves to feel better about the walled garden?" for $1,000 Alex.

Yeah, too much choice doesn't seem to hurt the car industry at all; especially the high-end German brands or pickup trucks.